Talkback

THE deaths of two students, T. Nhaveen and Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, have cast a spotlight firmly on bullying in schools and higher education institutions. While the initial public uproar was on the tragic deaths of the students, the focus has since shifted to the bigger picture, which is the problem of bullying and why it is still prevalent. How should the problem be tackled? As many have noted, ‘hazing’ or ‘ragging’ is usually deemed a rite of passage. When is it deemeed too much? And how do we end it? I come from an MRSM background and I can safely say that unless major changes are put in place, ragging will remain an institution. Some see it as an innocent tradition but to me, it’s a vicious cycle. It’s a way for seniors to assert dominance over the freshies, and the latter is supposed to just take it, knowing full well that soon, it’ll be their turn to inflict the humiliation and punishment.

AMIRUL BB Start in primary schools. Teachers and parents both must play their roles in spotting such cases. We have to let these budding bullies know that this behaviour is not okay and will not be tolerated. This is what happens when you adopt a ‘boys will be boys’ attitude, where you brush it off as just part of growing up. No, it’s not normal and no, it should not be swept under the carpet.

SINDY FONG Ragging freshmen isn’t a Malaysian problem. I studied in Singapore and believe me, it’s almost as bad. The danger here is that it breeds a culture of bullying, and there are certain students who relish the opportunity to pick on weaker and those deemed different. If we aren’t careful, we can end up like the US, where even in high schools, the problem is deemed critical.

SKP FOXTROT End it. Some traditions are not meant to be continued. There is absolutely no place for such culture in this day and age, and let’s face it, there are psychos in every community, even among students. There will always be that one person who will take it one step too far. At best, that victim is mentally-scarred for life and at worst, it can claim a life.

JEFRIZAL ABDULLAH